Playtime and perspective

Further down the point from Supertubes (pictured), Lower Point is a favourite contest venue for various reasons – it’s rippable in most conditions, the paddle-out isn’t too hectic and the rocks of the less gnarly kind. The place also lends itself to massive crowd support and comp infrastructure. It’s not difficult to create a helluva vibe.

While the serious business of riding waves for bragging rights and prizes takes place in the long, winding right handers, the other side of the RVCA Junior Challenge happens on the beach.

“There is always such a great vibe down at the Lower Point,” said RVCA South Africa's Arno Lane. “All the kids hang out and have such a cool weekend. There's loads of activities and things to do, and we're looking at having a RVCA-style party with some live bands down here as well."

FOR THE GALLERIES

Of course, if there are no photos it didn’t happen… the man tasked with capturing all the action is Cape-based lensman Richard Johnson (one of his pics above).

“Because RVCA is more than just a surf brand there is a need to capture the lifestyle and art element that will be happening around the contest and not just the surfing action,” said Richard. “I'm not 100 % sure what Chio, Arno and their crew have prepared for this year as far as ‘extra activities’ go but I'm sure there will be loads for the groms to do when they're not surfing.”

Johnson will also be immortalising the surfing action in mega pixels and believes Lower Point lends itself to some artistic angles. “Being down the bottom of the Point where the bay curves towards Albatross gives you the chance to shoot it from different angles that the other waves further up don't allow. You also can get a nice, unobstructed view of Point from up the hill that you can't get of Supers because of the houses up that end of the point,” he said.  

Just because it’s a junior comp Johnson won’t approach the surfing action any differently than he would a pro comp. “I want to get some great actions shots in the best light possible,” he said. “But also really nice lifestyle shots of the competitors and spectators, whether it's a Junior comp or a WT event.”  

Johnson reckons surf photography is in a great place, aesthetically similar to surfing itself: “there seems to be an acceptance of different styles and no ‘one’ way of seeing that is right or wrong. There are guys and girls doing mad high action like there has been for years, guys focusing on exploration and the landscapes that come with that, crazy water stuff like the ‘follow me’ shots and guys swimming in massive waves. Also the whole GoPro craze with the surfers themselves getting crazy angles and then the more arty, analog type of stuff too.”

TOP TIP

Johnson’s best for capturing your own classic J-Bay winter morning line-up shot during the RVCA Junior Challenge?

“Experiment. Try different lenses, pull back a bit, shoot through things, try different camera settings that yield different effects, such as speed blurs and the like.”